Our Top 18 Atlanta Events for September!

The start of fall means the start of some really great events happening in Atlanta! We’ve polled, researched and done our due diligence in finding some of the best events in September sure to please the whole family and your crew of ladies looking to have fun this month!

The crowds swarm to watch (and participate) in the famous Dragon Con Parade, which takes place at 10 a.m. on September 2. Image: Dragon Con

Atlanta Events: September 2017

September 1-3, 2017: 19th Annual Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival

Hot air balloons are a treat for children and adults, alike! The fun starts at Callaway Gardens at the Friday Night Balloon Glow and continues all weekend long with great events at both balloon rides, as well as tethered activities. Admission prices vary by person, by day and by age so find out how much each activity is and the schedule of events by visiting callawaygardens.com.

September 1-3, 2017: The AJC Decatur Book Festival

Bookworms have a weekend all to themselves in Decatur during the AJC Decatur Book Festival where authors, readers, children, poets, hopeful writers and everyone in between join together for one of the biggest literary events in the country. And the best part? It’s free! Because each day of the festival is jam-packed with events, visit the site so you can check what’s on tap based on your preferred genre. decaturbookfestival.com

September 1-4, 2017: LudaDay Weekend

Chris “Ludacris” Bridges and his famous friends take over Atlanta for this annual LudaDay Weekend (like Labor Day, get it?) to raise money for his organization, The Ludacris Foundation. The weekend will include events such as golf and bowling tournaments featuring top celebrities, a black tie party and so much more. Check for updates with The Ludacris Foundation and follow #LudadayWeekend2017 for updates on social media. facebook.com

We are grateful to all our sponsors:

September 1-4, 2017: Dragon Con

In Atlanta’s answer to all things science fiction and fantasy, we once again welcome avid fans, pop culture zealots, industry leaders, know-it-all geeks and anyone who just likes dressing up to Dragon Con! Besides the now-famous Dragon Con Parade, other events include a night at the Georgia Aquarium, as well as workshops, contests and more. Visit the Dragon Con site to learn more about tickets and schedules. dragoncon.org

SEC football gets its start in Atlanta at the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Games, located at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, featuring Alabama vs. Florida State on Saturday, September 2 and hometown team Georgia Tech vs. Tennessee on Monday, September 4. If you missed your chance to get tickets, don’t worry; you still can be part of the action! Related fan events include Fanzone Presented by Coca-Cola, where you can cheer on the teams, play interactive games and go crazy with fellow fans. And, ESPN College Gameday starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday! See all the fun by visiting the official site! chick-fil-akickoffgame.com

September 3, 2017: Atlanta Caribbean Jerk Festival

Get ready for one of the largest Caribbean-themed food festivals in the country when you show up at the Grand Prix Stadium (a new and larger venue for this event) for the Atlanta Caribbean Jerk Festival! Close your eyes and you’ll feel like you’re on the islands as you enjoy live reggae, calypso, gospel and jazz performances and, of course, eat jerk cuisine, roast fish, curry, roti and other Caribbean specialties. Pre-sale tickets are $20; $25 at the gate; $30 after 5 p.m. (children under 12 are free). Learn more about this cool event by visiting the site. atlantajerkfestival.com

September 7-10, 2017: Yellow Daisy Festival

Bring the whole family out for the 49th Annual Yellow Daisy Festival at Stone Mountain Park! This arts & crafts festival is well known across the country, featuring more than 400 artists. This outdoor event is a great way to have fun, shop, enjoy live entertainment, good food and reconnect with your community. stonemountainpark.com

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) presents the first U.S. solo museum exhibition of designs by China’s most illustrious couturière, Guo Pei, the first Chinese national fashion designer invited to join the prestigious Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. Presented in Atlanta and Savannah, this landmark exhibition features more than 40 of Guo Pei’s most exquisite designs, from accessories and prêt-à-porter to signature masterpieces, including the now-iconic imperial yellow cape worn by Rihanna to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala in 2015 — a seminal moment that introduced Guo Pei to America’s fashion cognoscenti. The event will be held from September 7, 2017 through March 4, 2018 at SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film on 1600 Peachtree St. NW. scad.edu

September 8 & 9, 2017: ONE Musicfest

Often called the hip hop capital of the world, Atlanta hosts the star-studded event that is ONE Musicfest. This year’s lineup includes too many to name (see the full listing here) — all performing at Lakewood Amphitheater. Besides classic and next generation hip hop, ticket holders will hear soulful R&B, alternative, rock and so much more at the Southeast’s largest annual urban progressive music festival. Get your tickets online and check out the full list of scheduled performers. onemusicfest.com

September 14, 2017: Preview Party for the Serenbe Designer Showhouse presented by Atlanta Home & Lifestyles

A do-not-miss event is the preview party for the annual Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Designer Showhouse! Set in Serenbe’s new European-inspired neighborhood, 15 of Atlanta’s top interior designers styled and decorated the home. Be the first to tour the two grand kitchens, three sun-filled and sophisticated living rooms and five alluring bedrooms — each of which is breathtaking. During the preview party, take the tour, meet the designers, enjoy cocktails and hors d’oevres and listen to live music! Tickets are $75 and the party takes place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. eventbrite.com

September 16 & 17, 2017: Music Midtown

Atlanta’s signature music event is back! Music Midtown is here to rock your face off and make sure your cheeks hurt from all the smiling and laughing you do at the best in-town music festival. See the full lineup HERE. The two-day general admission ticket costs $135 (the price increases on September 2) and gives you admittance to both days. VIP packages are available as well. musicmidtown.com

September 17, 2017: 8th Annual Southern Chefs Potluck

The only thing better than eating food created by the best chefs in the South is eating WITH the best Southern chefs. Ticket holders dine family style at Serenbe with 26 noted Southern chefs. The event, featuring great food, signature cocktails, a live auction and more, will benefit Wholesome Wave Georgia. Individual tickets start at $175 and go up based on VIP status, and can be purchased online. wholesomewavegeorgia.org

September 22-24, 2017: Imagine Music Festival

Make plans to attend this three-day music and camping festival, which takes place at Atlanta Motor Speedway. A lengthy roster of artists will perform on six stages throughout the weekend. View the complete roster, peruse ticketing packages and plan your trip at imaginefestival.com.

September 23, 2017: BeltLine Wine Stroll

Pub crawls are so passé; now, we’re all about the wine stroll — specifically the wine stroll along the BeltLine! Come out for the 4th Annual BeltLine Wine Stroll, where the over-21 crowd can sample wines from different businesses along the path, as well as light bites from more than 20 participating venues. facebook.com

September 23, 2017: East Atlanta Strut

Strut in one of the coolest neighborhoods in the city at the East Atlanta Strut. This annual, one-day festival features a classic car show, live music, artists market, an adult game area (featuring contests like Best Beard Growth) and, of course, the famous Strut parade. The Strut wristbands are your tickets ($5 each) and are the only way the 21-and-older crowd will be served alcoholic beverages. eastatlantastrut.com

We are grateful to all our sponsors:

September 23, 2017: The Cheese Festival

Formerly known as the Atlanta Cheese Festival, this ooey, gooey event celebrates all that is good and sacred in the dairy section. Ticket holders will show up at the Historic 4th Ward Park and be treated to unlimited samples of artisan cheese and products from the best cheesemakers in the country, as well as one drink ticket, live music and samples from the best-grilled cheese and mac and cheese Atlanta has to offer. Tickets start at $35 and VIP packages are available. thecheesefest.com

September 23 & 24, 2017: Sandy Springs Festival

We always want to share the OTP love and the Sandy Springs Festival is the perfect way to explore our lovely city beyond I-285. More than 30,000 attendees gather at Heritage Green to shop, eat, rock out and just explore the great people and talents in Sandy Springs. Admission prices vary based on age, so be sure to check online for more information, including instructions for parking and hours. heritagesandysprings.org

September 28 through October 1, 2017: Atlanta Greek Festival

It’s time to break a plate, do a shot of ouzo and scream “Opa!” as one of the liveliest festivals is back! Atlanta Greek Festival offers a weekend of the tastes and traditions of Greece right in our own backyard. The fun happens at Greek Orthodox Cathedral (in the LaVista neighborhood) and costs $5 for adults and is free for kids 12 and under. atlantagreekfestival.org

There are many awesome September events in Atlanta, so make sure you get out of your house and go exploring! Check out some more cool things happening in our great city by visiting our Local Happenings page often.